He was born on December 22, 1928 to the late Henry W. Gross and Clara Hartman Gross in Catawba County. Babe was a master pressman for 27 years. He was also a long distance truck driver for many years and later retired from Sun Belt Trucking.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, William “Billy” Gross, Sr.; brothers, Robert Gross, J.C. Gross, Paul Gross, and sister, Betty Baker.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Ethel Canipe Gross of Hickory; daughter, Darlene Gilbert and husband Jeff of Catawba; son, Michael “Bar Room” Gross and wife Sandy of Hickory; daughter- in- law, Judy Gross of Enterprise, AL; grandchildren, Tasha Bryant, Bill Gross, Jr., Misty Gross, CB Gilbert, Harley Gross, Hannah Gross; great grandchildren, Lucas Gross, Terra Smith, Tessa Smith, Wade Gross; sister, Alice Ferrea of Newport, TN; brother, Lester Gross of Hickory; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special sister-in-law, Patricia Brown.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Hickory Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 3:00 until 4: 00 p.m. at the funeral home. Bishop Dennis Pitts will be officiating the service. Burial will follow at Mountain Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jeff and CB Gilbert, Michael and Harley Gross, Billy, Jr. and Lucas Gross, and Wade Gross.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Isenhour, Eddie Bush, Richard Yoder, Willie Spurlin, and Robert (Blackie) Brittian.
Memorials may be made to New Covenant Church of God, 1286 Henry River Road, Hickory, NC 28602.
